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BMO Capital Markets and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to open the market at Toronto Stock Exchange to help raise funds for Aboriginal students

by NationTalk onSeptember 22, 2009858 Views

NEWS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 23, 2009

TORONTO — The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation along with BMO Capital Markets will open the market to raise awareness to help increase education funds for First Nation, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.On September 23, 2009, all of the institutional equity trading commissions earned across North America will be donated directly to organizations that improve access to education and this includes the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF).

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation is inviting a BMO Equity Through Education student to open the market at the Toronto Stock Exchange tomorrow.

Peggy Simon is Anishinabe from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. After 10 years of being out of school, she returned to pursue her Business Diploma. Simon will be graduating in January 2009 and plans to continue her education at the Laurentian University Business Program. “In today’s society you need to have the educational background to succeed in the workplace. Like the old saying goes, ‘everything comes full circle.’”

Equity Through Education has raised a total of $6.6-million since the launch of the special trading day program in 2005. This translates into assistance to over 2,000 students through scholarships, bursaries and job search strategy forums. Equity Through Education is a charitable initiative aimed at creating a more diverse workplace by offering support to help people realize their educational ambitions by giving them opportunities they might not otherwise have.

“We are honoured to partner with organizations like the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation that work tirelessly to establish a foundation for individuals to achieve personal fulfillment through education,” said Mike Miller, Head of Equity Products, BMO Capital Markets and Campaign Chair of the special trading day. “The funds raised through Equity Through Education will make a real difference in the lives of bright and talented youth who have educational ambitions but limited opportunities to realize them.”

“We are delighted to partner with BMO in this vital initiative that will provide much needed financial assistance to First Nation, Inuit and Métis learners enabling them to achieve their potential and enrich our country with their contributions. This is truly a win-win for all Canadians,” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

The nine charities that BMO Capital Markets supports through Equity Through Education are:

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) is a nationally registered non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to deliver programs that provide the tools necessary for Aboriginal peoples, especially youth to achieve their potential. Since 1985 the Foundation through its Education Program has awarded more than $32-million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 8,400 First Nations, Inuit and Métis students nationwide. NAAF’s key initiatives include: The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) a national annual broadcast celebrating 14 achievers in a multitude of career areas including a special youth award and an award for lifetime achievement; Taking Pulse joins NAAF with industry to present career options in specific growth sectors through a series of short documentaries and supporting curriculum materials with the aim of recruiting First Nations, Inuit & Métis youth; and Blueprint for the Future (BFF) a series of one-day career fairs that motivate and inspire First Nations, Inuit and Métis high school students with valuable resources and information on career opportunities. Over 30,000 students have attended these exciting youth oriented events to date nationwide.

About BMO’s Charitable Giving Equity Through Education®, is a charitable initiative launched by BMO Capital Markets in 2005 to help people realize their educational ambitions by giving them the means to pursue those goals.

For more than 190 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in reinvesting in the communities it serves. In 2008, BMO Financial Group contributed $55.9 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

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